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The former administrator of Marion Superior Courts has taken a key position directing the growth of the University of Indianapolis.

Andrea Newsom resigned as court administrator recently to accept the position of director of facility and space planning at the university that in June broke ground on the UIndy Health Pavilion, the first of several projects in a $50 million capital improvement campaign.

Newsom, who served about a year and a half as court administrator, previously served as corporate counsel for the city of Indianapolis. There, she represented the Department of Public Works as the university embarked on the reconstruction of Hanna Avenue, the main thoroughfare through the south side campus.

In her new capacity, Newsom said she will report to university president Robert Manuel and work with university and neighborhood stakeholders to help guide the five-year improvement campaign.

As court administrator, Newsom worked for 36 elected Marion Superior judges and administered nonjudicial functions of the court system staffed by more than 700 full-time employees. Her new job is a bit of departure from her legal career in public service that also included a stint as a deputy prosecutor.

“I consider it to be a pleasure and a privilege to work with the courts,” Newsom said. “I’m excited for the opportunities that lie ahead at the university.”

UIndy spokesman Scott Hall said the Health Pavilion is a $28 million, four-story, 160,000-square foot building that will rise at Hanna and State avenues. It will house the university’s health-related disciplines. Hall said the university has gained a national reputation in nursing and other fields of study and produces more physical therapists, occupational therapists and clinical psychologists than any school in the state.

Newsom also will direct renovation of other facilities under the $50 million plan, including Martin Hall, which currently houses the College of Health Sciences, Krannert Library and other facilities. Hall said the university also hopes to foster commercial development in cooperation with neighborhood groups.

Marion Superior Executive Committee chairman Judge David Certo said the committee expects to move quickly to fill a position he said was critical to court operations. “It would be best for me and my family if it was today,” he quipped.

The application period closed July 26 and did not specify a salary. According to public records, Newsom’s salary was $83,076.

“We’re deeply grateful for Andrea’s public service,” Certo said.

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Dave Stafford joined the staff of the Indiana Lawyer as a reporter in May 2012 and was named editor in October 2017. An award-winning print journalist for more than 30 years, Stafford has worked as a reporter and editor at newspapers including the Herald Bulletin in Anderson, Indiana, the News-Journal in Daytona Beach, Florida, and the Times-Dispatch in Richmond, Virginia. He and his wife, Denise, live in their hometown, Indianapolis.